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Winter Maintenance in Cambridge
» Found in Transportation & Public Works
ROAD SNOW CLEARING PRACTICES
The Public Works Department maintains Regional and all City streets within the City of Cambridge. Plowing/Sanding/Salting and Snow Removal Operations are started as soon as possible after the start of a snowstorm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED SNOW RELATED QUESTIONS
Why doesn't the City plow all sidewalks?
City of Cambridge Snow Removal Bylaw
What happens if I fail to clear the sidewalks abutting my property?
I live on a corner lot and when the snowplow turns the corner, excessive amounts of snow seem to accumulate on my driveway. Why can't the operator prevent this from happening?
Why do you have to fill in my driveway?
I try to keep sidewalks shovelled, but the snowplow fills in the sidewalks when they plow the street. What can I do?
I live on a small local street - why does it seem that our street is always the last street plowed?
I am a senior citizen and/or have health issues that prevent me from clearing my sidewalk. What can the City do to help me keep my sidewalk clear?
I have cleared my sidewalk but my neighbour has not. What can you do to get people to shovel their sidewalks?
Why does the City place yellow boxes filled with sand along some city streets?
Why doesn't the City apply salt on my street?
Why do the plows go so fast and throw snow on my sidewalk?
Why isn't sand used more often to reduce the amount of salt used?
I'm concerned about the environment. Why don't you use more plowing and less sand and salt?
PLANS FOR IMPROVED WINTER MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Plows are deployed to pre-determined plow routes that are designed to provide plowing services on a priority basis.
Each class of street has minimum standards for maintenance. For example, on Class II streets (ie. Franklin Blvd./Hespeler Rd.) we try to keep the accumulation of snow under 5cm (two inches) and residential streets under 12cm (five inches), therefore more resources are needed on higher volume roads.
Overnight parking is not permitted on any street between 2:30 and 6:00 a.m. in the City of Cambridge.
Plan for Improved Winter Maintenance Services
SALTING AND SANDING PRACTICES
Salt is applied early in a storm to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. If plowing is required, due to increased accumulation, the plow can normally clear the pavement completely. Salting and sanding is normally required after plowing.
Dangerous sections such as steep hills, curves and intersections are continually salted during a storm. Sand is usually applied on flat, straight residential and rural areas when required.
Salt and sand are applied as required at rates that are effective and economical following standards established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. To protect our ground water supplies, vehicles are equipped with contemporary technology to minimize the rate of salt application.
EMERGENCIES
In case of medical or other serious emergency, the City's snow clearing forces respond to calls for assistance through the ambulance service and can be accessed by interconnected radio communications with police and fire services.
SIDEWALKS/WALKWAYS
Sidewalk Snow Clearing
Residents are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 36 hours after the cessation of a snowfall. Sidewalks should be cleared so that persons using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, strollers, etc. can use the sidewalk safely. Please remember to clear your sidewalks for the safety of all.
If you cannot clear your own sidewalk due to health or mobility issues, please call Community Support Connections-Meals on Wheels and More at (519)772-8787 for information regarding possible assistance, or visit www.communitysupportconnections.org
Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law
Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law 168-08 requires property owners to clear all abutting sidewalks within 36 hours of the cessation of a snow fall.
Walkways
The City only maintains walkways in specific areas, mostly those areas used by small school children or senior citizens for direct access to a specific area. You may view the City's Sidewalk Snow Clearing map below.
Ways That You May Help the City After a Heavy Snowfall
The Public Works Department maintains Regional and all City streets within the City of Cambridge. Plowing/Sanding/Salting and Snow Removal Operations are started as soon as possible after the start of a snowstorm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED SNOW RELATED QUESTIONS
Why doesn't the City plow all sidewalks?
City of Cambridge Snow Removal Bylaw
What happens if I fail to clear the sidewalks abutting my property?
I live on a corner lot and when the snowplow turns the corner, excessive amounts of snow seem to accumulate on my driveway. Why can't the operator prevent this from happening?
Why do you have to fill in my driveway?
I try to keep sidewalks shovelled, but the snowplow fills in the sidewalks when they plow the street. What can I do?
I live on a small local street - why does it seem that our street is always the last street plowed?
I am a senior citizen and/or have health issues that prevent me from clearing my sidewalk. What can the City do to help me keep my sidewalk clear?
I have cleared my sidewalk but my neighbour has not. What can you do to get people to shovel their sidewalks?
Why does the City place yellow boxes filled with sand along some city streets?
Why doesn't the City apply salt on my street?
Why do the plows go so fast and throw snow on my sidewalk?
Why isn't sand used more often to reduce the amount of salt used?
I'm concerned about the environment. Why don't you use more plowing and less sand and salt?
PLANS FOR IMPROVED WINTER MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Plows are deployed to pre-determined plow routes that are designed to provide plowing services on a priority basis.
Each class of street has minimum standards for maintenance. For example, on Class II streets (ie. Franklin Blvd./Hespeler Rd.) we try to keep the accumulation of snow under 5cm (two inches) and residential streets under 12cm (five inches), therefore more resources are needed on higher volume roads.
Overnight parking is not permitted on any street between 2:30 and 6:00 a.m. in the City of Cambridge.
Plan for Improved Winter Maintenance Services
SALTING AND SANDING PRACTICES
Salt is applied early in a storm to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. If plowing is required, due to increased accumulation, the plow can normally clear the pavement completely. Salting and sanding is normally required after plowing.
Dangerous sections such as steep hills, curves and intersections are continually salted during a storm. Sand is usually applied on flat, straight residential and rural areas when required.
Salt and sand are applied as required at rates that are effective and economical following standards established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. To protect our ground water supplies, vehicles are equipped with contemporary technology to minimize the rate of salt application.
EMERGENCIES
In case of medical or other serious emergency, the City's snow clearing forces respond to calls for assistance through the ambulance service and can be accessed by interconnected radio communications with police and fire services.
SIDEWALKS/WALKWAYS
Sidewalk Snow Clearing
Residents are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 36 hours after the cessation of a snowfall. Sidewalks should be cleared so that persons using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, strollers, etc. can use the sidewalk safely. Please remember to clear your sidewalks for the safety of all.
If you cannot clear your own sidewalk due to health or mobility issues, please call Community Support Connections-Meals on Wheels and More at (519)772-8787 for information regarding possible assistance, or visit www.communitysupportconnections.org
Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law
Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law 168-08 requires property owners to clear all abutting sidewalks within 36 hours of the cessation of a snow fall.
Walkways
The City only maintains walkways in specific areas, mostly those areas used by small school children or senior citizens for direct access to a specific area. You may view the City's Sidewalk Snow Clearing map below.
Ways That You May Help the City After a Heavy Snowfall
- Please ensure all vehicles are off the street following a storm.
- Please don't place snow from driveways/sidewalks back onto the street.
- Please keep sidewalks clear.
- Please be patient, all streets will be plowed.
- Above all, please use caution when driving or walking in winter conditions.
For further information please call the Public Works Department at 519.621.0740.
Related Documents
| DOCUMENT | DESCRIPTION | DATE POSTED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Salting and Sanding Practices | 2009-11-16 | PDF 25Kb | |
| Plan for Improved Winter Maintenance Services | 2009-11-11 | PDF 33Kb | |
| Maps - Transp. & Public Works | |||
| Sidewalk Snow Clearing Map 2010-2011 | Sidewalks, Trails and walkways maintained by the City of Cambridge. Detailed map showing areas Community Services and Public Works maintains. | 2012-01-17 | PDF 2682Kb |